There is a Hottle in My Mug

While taking kids to school the other morning I passed a house that I pass daily and there was a table by the side of the road with a cardboard sign propped against it. The word FREE scribbled on the sign, I pulled over and took a quick look and in my rush felt uninspired by anything I saw. As the day went on I passed the house a few more times and I noticed the table emptying quick. After picking up children, when their school day was over, I decided to make one more quick look.

I saw the punch bowl that was there that morning, earlier it seemed like any other punch bowl but this time I noticed it wasn't. It was deeper than punch bowls I see today and the little glass balls that the bowl and cups stood upon made it special (to me) and so even though I already have 2 punch bowls, I snatched up this one.

I think I need to have a party now with three different kinds of Party Punch, don't you think?

Then I saw something quite interesting, there was two of the same, they were glass, they had lids and they were like nothing I'd seen before. I picked one up and saw the words Glasbake on the bottom. I decided to take them home and research (google) and study (google image) this interesting find.

What I learned was I had found a Hottle.

Hottles are carafe's- used to keep beverages hot or cold. Hottles were used during the passenger train era and in the hotel industry. The beverage would be poured into the Hottle and the Hottle would be placed in the cup (thus the shape) to warm while on the tray, then the tray would be served to the passenger or guest. One Hottle holds about two servings worth of the beverage. According to one site- the two I found are from the Depression era. Which is like, totally Grapes of Wrath cool!

Okay, I've said and typed the word Hottle enough. But have you said it out loud? It's pretty cool.

What good junk have you found lately?

Do tell!